The Los Angeles Kings are set to play their first of back-to-back road games on Friday night against the Dallas Stars. It has been a great month for the Kings with points in every game in February, including a 5-4 shootout victory over the Stars before the 4 Nations Face-Off break.
The last two games, the Kings have needed sparks late in the game and have made changes in their lines that has worked out well. In those games, Adrian Kempe was paired with Kevin Fiala and Quinton Byfield and in the third period alone these three players have combined for two goals and six assists.
Prior to the game Friday, it was reported by Zach Dooley that the Kings would start the game with this line, and it is the right move. These three are playing the best of any forwards on the Kings, and when together, they have really made an impact.
It definitely is a big shift from what the Kings have done over the past two seasons as Adrian Kempe has been primarily paired with Anze Kopitar. However, the top line of Kopitar-Kempe and a rotating left wing hasn't been very productive so making the change makes sense.
Who do the Los Angeles Kings pair with Anze Kopitar?
The change is the right move for Adrian Kempe but it raises the question of who is now with Anze Kopitar. The team's captain has struggled in 2025 and in 20 games has only one goal and six assists and a +/- of -6.
Dooley provided some insight into that line as well and the Kings will have Kopitar be joined by Alex Turcotte and Alex Laferriere. Both players this season have played on that top line at left wing so it shouldn't be a huge shift for Kopitar.
Turcotte - Kopitar - Laferriere will start together also.
— Zach Dooley (@DooleyLAK) February 28, 2025
Jim Hiller noted that 14 & 15 played really well together earlier this season. Likes their “speed and energy”. https://t.co/6V2GIRpDcw
It will be interesting to see how these changes do tonight against the Stars and if Jim Hiller sticks with this group for a bit or if this is a short-term fix.